OF Pujols among trio of minor leaguers released by Phillies

Jose Pujols, image- Jay Floyd

It was announced that the Phillies released outfield prospect Jose Pujols along with two minor league pitchers on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old righty hitting Dominican missed all of the 2019 regular season following a reported Achilles tendon injury.

Pujols made a name for himself during his first campaign in full-season Class A in 2016,  when he set Lakewood's single season home run record at the time, at that time, with a mark of 24. Overall in 128 games in the South Atlantic League that year, Pujols tallied a .241 batting average with 82 runs batted in.

In six minor league seasons, the six-foot-three 180-pounder notched a .238/.304/.406 slash line. 

The father of two posted a message about the release on his Instagram account on Wednesday night.  An image of that statement is embedded below.

Tip of the cap to OF Jose Pujols, who was released yesterday by the #Phillies. He posted a statement about it on his Instagram acct... pic.twitter.com/QzOvpYrzKL

— Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) July 9, 2020

Two more natives of the Dominican Republic were also cut from the Phils organization, as it's been reported that right-handed pitcher Oscar Marcelino and left-handed hurler Jose Jimenez have been released as well.

Marcelino, 23, split his 2019 season with Class A Lakewood and Class A Advanced Clearwater.  In 32 combined relief appearances last year, Marcelino posted a 3-2 record with two saves, a 5.83 ERA and a .279 batting average against.

The 22-year-old Jimenez pitched with short-season Class A Williamsport last year.  In 17 relief outings he sported a 2-1 record with a 3.71 ERA with an 11.1 K/9 mark.